Damian Scannell hangs up his boots: I have to close this chapter of my life

TONBRIDGE ANGELS midfielder Damian Scannell has decided to hang up his boots due to injury, aged 32.

"Due to injury issues, I have decided to call an end to my footballing days. It has been an amazing journey, thanks to everyone that's helped me," said Scannell.

“It was looking like it was going to be 10 months to a year out, I have to think about my personal life as well,” Scannell told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk.

“In my job, I have to stay fit. If it was just running it could have been fine, but one tackle could mean I couldn’t walk for months, so I have to close this chapter of my life.

“I’d like to thank Melvyn Slight (physio), the gaffer (Steve McKimm), the chairman (Steve Churcher) and the players. I’ve loved playing for Tonbridge.  I was looking forward to this season and I can say I went out on a high.

“I’d also like to thank the fans. At Tonbridge the fans don’t treat you as a player, they treat you as a friend and I’ve had so much support already from so many people.

”You haven’t seen the last of me! I’m going to be bringing my son down to watch games. I feel like it’s a special place to me.”

Scannell’s previous clubs include Greenwich Borough, Fisher, Dulwich Hamlet and Bromley.

Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm, led the tributes on Twitter.

“A brilliant player that the game misses out on. It’s been a privilege to be associated with somebody who’s a proper gentleman and family man.”

Margate defender Chris Sessegnon added: “Unreal player, even nicer guy.  Twisting me up from when I was young. Good luck with what you end up doing.”

Former Eastleigh team-mate Glen Southam, added: “Privileged to have shared the grass with you mate, every asset needed to have in any team.  You’ve got it all, I saw it every day.  A winner, a gentlemen, great character, unlimited ability, worked harder than you got credit for, thank you for everything big guy.”

Meanwhile, Tom Parkinson has leant that some of the bones in his broken ankle have not fused together properly and he faces even more time out of the game.

The versatile Parkinson will require further surgery this week to have a plate inserted into his ankle and the Tonbridge Angels midfielder is likely to be out of action for another four months.

Tonbridge Angels welcome Margate to Longmead Stadium for a Bostik Premier clash on Tuesday night (7:45pm).

Visit Tonbridge Angels website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk